Mixing and drying conveyor

ABSTRACT

A conveyor having a conveyance structure, mixing components, belt, and gas manifold. The gas manifold disposed within or on an exterior portion of the structure. The gas manifold having one or more manifold outlet ports to dry, condition, or treat a metered stream of seed within the conveyor. The manifold may be operably connected to a recirculating air system providing the vacuum source and pressurized air source of atmospheric or conditioned air. A filter and vacuum port may extract debris or humidity from the metered stream of seed within the conveyor. A plurality of mixing baffles may be longitudinally spaced apart through the conveyor in a laterally alternating manner to mix the metered stream of seed. The conveyor may be used to transfer, mix, dry, condition and treat the metered stream of seed between multiple stages of treatment.

CROSS-REFERENCES

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.62/879,940 filed 29 Jul. 2019, which is incorporated by reference hereinin its entirety.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a conveyor with a belt forming atrough, the conveyor capable of mixing, drying, conditioning, andapplying a treatment material to a particulate material duringconveyance.

BACKGROUND

Agricultural seeds are often treated with treatments such asinsecticides, fungicides, and other compositions before planting. Thetime window for planting—when the weather is warm enough and the fieldsare dry—is often very short. This means the seed dealer must quicklytreat and deliver a high volume of seed to farmers who are ready toplant their fields. These seed treatments are commonly applied byspraying a liquid composition to the surface of seed, which requires asmaller quantity of seed treatment composition than the traditionalfield application of treatment fluids.

SUMMARY

The last stage of treating seeds involves mixing and drying the wet,freshly treated seed. Seed treatment systems generally incorporate amixing drum, such as the mixing drum disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.8,985,931 and U.S. Pat. No. 10,194,577, both patents by Terry N. Kaeb etal and assigned to KSi Conveyor, Inc., the disclosure of which areincorporated by reference herein in its entirety. Drying drums can beexpensive and take up substantial space. Alternative post-treatmentplant seed mixing methods include screw conveyors, such as conventionalsteel augers, brush augers, and poly cupped fighting augers. Users mayprefer belt conveyors over screw conveyors for transferring plant seeds.Belt conveyors are an effective solution for transporting particulatematerial at an incline. An endless belt is looped around rollers at thehead and tail end of the conveyor. The endless belt may be spliced ormade without splicing. The endless belt may incorporate texture on thecarrying surface to assist with traction for carrying the load up anincline. For example, the carrying surface can incorporate chevrons toassist with carrying the load.

In general, the disclosure features a conveyor having a conveyancestructure. Partially disposed within the conveyance structure is a belt.A gas manifold, having one or more manifold outlets, may be disposedwithin or on an exterior of the conveyance structure.

The conveyor may include a lid or sidewall through which the manifoldoutlets pass. A plurality of mixing baffles may be longitudinally spacedapart through the conveyor in a laterally alternating manner. Theplurality of manifold outlet ports, operably connected to the manifold,may be disposed laterally adjacent to the mixing baffles. The manifoldmay be operably connected to a vacuum source or pressurized air source.A filter may be disposed between the manifold and the vacuum source. Arecirculating air system may provide the vacuum source and thepressurized air source. A vacuum port may be disposed at a head end ofthe conveyor.

A stream of particulate matter may be conditioned with a conveyor. Apressurized gas source is connected to a portion of the conveyor. Thestream of particulate material, such as seed, is carried through theconveyor on a belt. A mixing baffle induces turbulent backflow in thestream of particulate material.

Debris may be extracted from the stream of particulate material with anegative pressure connected to the conveyor from the pressurized gassource. Humid air may be extracted from the conveyor with a negativepressure connected to the conveyor from the pressurized gas source.Introduce gas into the conveyor with a positive pressure from thepressurized gas source. The gas introduced into the conveyor may beatmospheric air or conditioned air, such as dehumidified air.

The mixing and drying conveyor can be used for treating and overtreatingseed. A metered stream of particulate material is provided to a firstapplicator. The metered stream of particulate material treated with afirst treatment in the first applicator. The metered stream ofparticulate material having the first treatment is transferred to asecond applicator. The stream of particulate material having the firsttreatment is then treated with a second treatment.

The metered stream of particulate material having the first treatment ismixed in a first conveyor with a plurality of mixing baffles. Themetered stream of particulate material having the first treatment isdried in the first conveyor by providing pressurized gas to the firstconveyor. The metered stream of particulate material having the secondtreatment can be mixed in the second conveyor with a plurality of mixingbaffles. The metered stream of particulate material having the secondtreatment can be dried in the second conveyor by providing pressurizedgas within the second conveyor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Aspects are illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation,in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a top-side perspective view of a curvilinear structure ofthe conveyor with the contents of the conveyor below the lid shown indashed lines;

FIG. 2 shows a top perspective view of a curvilinear structure of theconveyor with the lid removed showing alternating baffles;

FIG. 3 shows a top perspective view of a transition zone and conveyorwith the lids shown in place;

FIG. 4 shows a top perspective view of the transition zone and conveyorwith lids removed showing the alternating mixing baffles in place;

FIG. 5 shows a front close-up view of the transition zone showing thealternating mixing paddles in place;

FIG. 6 shows a top-side perspective view of a mixing paddle;

FIG. 7 shows a top-side perspective view of a mixing baffle;

FIG. 8 shows a top-side perspective view of a mixing baffle;

FIG. 9 shows a top-side perspective view of a mixing baffle;

FIG. 10 shows a top-side perspective view of a multiple stage seedtreater using conveyors for mixing and drying;

FIG. 11 shows a top perspective view of a conveyor having mixing bafflesand a conditioning apparatus disposed within a curvilinear structure;

FIG. 12 shows a top-side perspective view of a conveyor having mixingbaffles and a conditioning apparatus disposed within the curvilinearstructure;

FIG. 13 shows a top-side perspective view of a conditioning apparatus;

FIG. 14 shows a top-side perspective view of a conditioning apparatushaving two gas manifolds mounted to the exterior portion of thecurvilinear structure; and

FIG. 15 shows a top-side perspective view of a conditioning apparatushaving two gas manifolds.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows an internal view of a conveyor 110 with mixing apparatus100. The mixing apparatus may mix and dry particulate material duringtransportation up the incline belt conveyor. The particulate material iscarried on the belt through the curvilinear structure 114. Thecurvilinear structure 114 comprises the lower trough of the conveyor,through which the belt (not shown) travels. When the belt travelsthrough the curvilinear structure, the belt takes on a similarcurvilinear cross section. As the belt conforms to the curvilinearstructure 114 when the belt moves through the transition portion of theconveyance structure. The particulate material is carried on the belt,as the belt is driven with a driven roller, through the curvilinearstructure. Conforming the belt to the curvilinear structure provides abed depth for increased transportation rates, provides side support formore aggressive mixing, and allows for complete cleanout of particulatematter at the head end of the conveyor. The complete cleanout ofparticulate matter may be advantageous when conveyors are movingmaterial such as treated seed where customers are sensitive tocross-contamination.

The belt has a carrying surface, which engages the particulate matter.The belt is endless, in that it is wrapped around a head roller and atail roller, to make a continuous path. The belt may be spliced. Thebelt may be a solid woven belt with a cover such as a PVG Belt,Continental PVG 120S1 CBb. The PVG belt may have a polyester, single-plyinterwoven outer cover. The PVG belt provides low stretch, excellentfastener retention, and good tear and wear resistance. The cover mayalso resist reactivity with seed treatment. Alternatively, the belt maybe a solid woven belt with a cover of polyvinyl chloride or be a beltmade wholly of rubber, or other materials.

The moving belt of the conveyor transports particulate material from atail end to a head end (in a downstream direction, shown in arrow 113)as shown in FIG. 1. The rate of transfer or belt speed may range from 80to 140 meters per minute (approximately 250 to 450 feet per minute). Inone example, the belt transfers particulate material at a volume of 360kilograms (approximately 800 pounds) per minute with a belt speed of 110meters per minute (approximately 350 feet per minute). The belt may havea texture projection on the carrying surface to assist with traction andtransfer of the particulate material up an incline. For example, thecarrying surface can incorporate texture projections such as raisedcrescents, chevrons, or herringbones to assist with carrying the load ona solid belt. Raised chevrons may be beneficial in conveying the loadduring mixing. It may be beneficial to limit the height of the textureprojection to less than 2.54 cm (1 inch), less than 1.904 cm (¾ inch),less than 1.27 cm (½ inch), or less than 0.635 cm (¼ inch), so thetexture projection does not protect a substantial amount of the seed bedfrom interaction with the mixing baffles and to prevent the mixingbaffles contacting the texture projection. The texture projection may beangled 90-degrees to maintain a perpendicular axis to the plane of thebelt surface. Alternatively, the texture projections may be angledupstream, with an obtuse angle away from the perpendicular axis to theplane of the belt surface. Alternatively, the texture projections may beangled downstream, with an acute angle away from the perpendicular axisto the plane of the belt surface.

The linear edges of the belt may be protected by a longitudinal guard.The guard may be L-shaped, C-shaped, or overlap the belt with a roundedlip or planar projection. The guard may be made from low- orhigh-density polyethylene, polytetrafluorethylene, or ultra-highmolecular weight polyethylene, or other material that provides impact,chemical, abrasion, and moisture-resistance and a low-friction surface.The guard may be disposed between the linear edges of the lid 120 andthe outside edge of the curvilinear structure 114. The guard overlapsthe belt to prevent particulate material from wedging between the beltand the trough of the curvilinear structure 114. The guard may preventloss of seed, damage to seed, cross-contamination, and belt wear bypreventing the turbulent flow of seed from entering between the belt andthe curvilinear structure 114.

We recognized that a plurality of mixing baffles may be incorporatedinto a belt conveyor to mix seed—or other particulate material—beingtransported on the belt. Inserting a plurality of mixing baffles intothe stream of the particulate material induces a turbulent backflow ofthe particulate material. Backflow of seed during conveyance may begenerally regarded as contrary to the transportation purpose ofconveyance in an incline conveyor. However, we recognized that backflowof seed could be induced to mix seed during belt conveyor transference.In the case of wet, freshly treated plant seed, this backflow may causea mixing, polishing, and drying of the plant seed. Mixing distributesthe seed treatment into an even coat by rubbing the individual seeds ofthe seed flow stream together. The belt movement generates the seedstream flow, which is then divided and mixed using the static mixingbaffles.

As shown in FIG. 2, the mixing apparatus 100 may comprise a plurality ofmixing baffles 130A, 130B, 130C, 130D, 130E, 130F, 130G, 130H referredto in general as mixing baffles 130. Utilizing mixing baffles within theconveyor 110 may eliminate the need for a mixing and drying drum, whichmay decrease the cost, time, and operational footprint of a seedtreatment system.

The mixing baffles partially obstruct the flow of seed, inducing aturbulent backflow, in an amount prescribed based on the shape andstructure of the mixing baffles. The backflow disrupts the flow of theseed within the curvilinear structure 114. An eddy or pocket within theseed flow stream may form behind the mixing baffles. The eddy may fillwith gravity-induced backflow of seed from downstream thereby providingfurther mixing. The mixing baffles 130 may be made of a rigid durablematerial such as ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene, acrylonitrilebutadiene styrene, steel, or other sufficiently rigid and durablematerial. Mixing baffles are longitudinally spaced apart within thecurvilinear structure at a set distance above the carrying surface ofthe belt, or above the top of the texture projection

As shown in FIG. 2, the mixing baffles 130 are mounted such that thedownstream portion of the mixing baffle extends inwardly toward thecenter of the conveyor 110. A first mixing baffle 130A is mounted on afirst lateral side 170 of the conveyor 110. The first mixing baffle isslanted relative to the longitudinal axis of the conveyor. The slant ofthe mixing baffle directs lateral movement of the particulate materialfrom the first lateral side 170 to a second lateral side 172 of theconveyor 110. The particulate material may ricochet off the upstreamsurface 133 of the first mixing baffle 130A, causing the particulatematerial to move backwards (upstream, see arrow 112 in FIG. 1) in thelongitudinal axis of the conveyor and towards the opposite lateral side.The first mixing baffle is mounted to the conveyor with a peripheralportion 134 disposed upstream of a central portion 132. The first mixingbaffle can be mounted at less than a 50° angle (see angle a in FIG. 1)between a first plane 150 defined by the first mixing baffle 130A and avertical plane 152 tangential to the curvilinear structure 114 of theconveyor 110 at the sidewall 154. In the situation where the particulatematerial is a quantity of a plant seed partially covered with a wet seedtreatment, inducing backflow, and directing lateral movement spreads thewet seed treatment about the quantity of the plant seed.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the mixing baffles 130 are disposed inalternating lateral sides. A first plurality of mixing baffles 130A,130C, 130E, and 130G are disposed on the first lateral side 170 of theconveyor 110. A second plurality of mixing baffles 130B, 130D, 130F, and130H are disposed on the second lateral side 172 of the conveyor 110. Inthis orientation, the first plurality of mixing baffles disposed on thefirst lateral side 170 cause seed to move from the first lateral side170 to the second lateral side 172. In a similar manner, the secondplurality of mixing baffles disposed on the second lateral side 172cause particulate material to move from the second lateral side 172 tothe first lateral side 170.

The mixing baffles 130 may be spaced apart longitudinally through alongitudinal portion 111 of the conveyor 110. The mixing baffles 130 maybe spaced apart every twelve inches. Seven mixing baffles may bedisposed longitudinally within an eight-foot section of curvilinearstructure as shown in FIG. 1. The curvilinear structure may have aneight-inch diameter cross section. Alignment of the mixing baffles maybe: first baffle 130A is on the first lateral side 170, with a firstpassage disposed in a first peripheral portion; second baffle 130B is onthe second lateral side 172, with a second passage disposed in a secondperipheral portion; third baffle 130C is on the first lateral side 170,with a third passage disposed in a third peripheral portion; the fourthbaffle 130D is on the second lateral side 172, with a fourth passagedisposed in a central portion. Alternatively, the pattern of the passagelocation may alternate between being in a central portion 132 of certainmixing baffles and disposed in a first peripheral side 134 of othermixing baffles.

As shown in FIG. 2, eight mixing baffles may be disposed longitudinallywithin a section of curvilinear structure. The curvilinear structure mayhave a nine-inch diameter cross section. A preferred pattern puts thepassages in alternating locations, where a first mixing baffle 130A isdisposed in the first lateral side 170 with a peripheral passage,followed by a second mixing baffle 130B disposed in the second lateralside 172 with a peripheral passage, followed by a third mixing baffle130C disposed in the first lateral side with a peripheral passage,followed by a forth mixing baffle 130D disposed in the second lateralside with a central passage 138, followed by a fifth mixing baffle 130Edisposed in the first lateral side with a central passage, followed by asixth mixing baffle 130F disposed in the second lateral side with aperipheral passage, followed by a seventh mixing baffle 130G disposed inthe first lateral side with a central passage, and lastly followed by aneighth mixing baffle 130H disposed in the second lateral side with acentral passage. In this pattern, there is no clear passage for aportion of the particulate stream to travel through the curvilinearstructure of the incline conveyor without encountering a mixing baffle.The pattern of the passage may alternate between inducing greaterbackflow within a central portion of the curvilinear structure 114 in afirst section of the conveyor 110, where mixing baffles contain aperipheral passage, followed by a second section with greater backflowalong the lateral sides of the curvilinear structure 114, where mixingbaffles contain a central passage. At points along the longitudinal axisof the conveyor, backflow may deviate from the pattern of the passage byinserting a mixing baffle, where the passage deviates from the adjacentmixing baffles in that section of the conveyor 110.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, one or more mixing baffles 130 may be mountedto an underside of a plurality of removable lid sections 120A, 120B,120C, 120D, referred to in general as a lid 120. The lid mounts to thecurvilinear structure 114 or another portion of the conveyancestructure. The lid prevents rain and debris from entering the conveyor110 as well as preventing particulate material from exiting the conveyor110. The mixing baffles 130 are mounted directly to and perpendicular tothe lid 120 with an L-shaped mounting bracket 160 as shown in FIG. 2. Asshown in FIGS. 1 and 3, a lid 120 may comprise a plurality of apertures163 corresponding to the mounting position of the mixing baffles 130.Alternatively, the mixing baffles 130 may be mounted to scaffolding ordirectly to the conveyor frame (not shown). The scaffolding may bemounted to the conveyor frame or curvilinear structure 114.

The lid 120 may be removable as a whole unit or divided into removablelid sections, 120A, 120B, 120C, 120D, as shown in FIG. 3. The lidsections may be held to the conveyor 110 by releasable pins. Thereleasable pins are disposed through the conveyor frame, trusses 122, orcurvilinear structure 114. The divided and removable lid sectionsprovide access to the interior of the curvilinear structure. Removablelid sections aid in the maintenance and cleanout of the conveyor 110.The removable lid sections may allow the operator or installer tooptimize adjustment and efficient placement of mixing baffles and ports.Access ports (not shown) may be disposed within the lid sections toallow the application of treatment material during conveyance, such asblending dry additives or mixing powdered, dry seed treatment with theseed flow. Dry additives may include biological inhibitors, particulatefertilizer, seed shiners, drying agents, talc, graphite, or otherflowability agents and other seed treatments. Access ports may becovered with a transparent cover for observation. The access portswithin the lid section may be of varied sizes and shapes. The conveyormay also include passive zones where mixing baffles or ports in theremovable lid sections are not utilized.

Since treatment absorbs or dries quickly with some seeds, such as wheat,mixing may need to occur further upstream prior to entering the tailinlet of the static mix conveyor. A transition zone 200 may be utilizedat the tail end of the conveyor 110 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Thetransition zone is the portion of the conveyor where the belttransitions from a flat profile from the drive or idler roller, usuallywhere loading of the conveyor happens, into the curvilinear portionwhere the belt conforms to the curvilinear portion. The transition zonemay incorporate one or more mixing paddles 230 to induce mixing prior toinline static mixing within the conveyor 110. As shown, two mixingpaddles may be disposed within the transition zone. Placement of themixing paddles 230 in the transition zone 200 allows for more aggressivemixing prior to mixing within the static mix conveyor. The mixingpaddles partially obstruct the flow of seed, inducing a prescribedamount of backflow within the transition zone.

The mixing paddles 230 may be mounted to a sidewall 154 of thetransition zone as shown in FIG. 5. The mixing paddles 230 are mountedperpendicular to the floor of the transition zone with a U-shapedmounting bracket 260, as shown in FIG. 5. A U-shaped mounting bracket260 is attached to the sidewall 154 of the transition zone. The U-shapedmounting bracket and sidewall may comprise a plurality of apertures 163corresponding to the mounting position of the mixing paddles. The mixingpaddles are mounted to the sidewall 154 with a peripheral portiondisposed upstream of a central portion. The first mixing paddle 230A ismounted on the second lateral side 172 of the transition zone. The firstmixing paddle 230A is slanted relative to the longitudinal portion 111of the transition zone 200 as shown in FIG. 3. The slant of the mixingpaddle directs lateral movement of the particulate material from thesecond lateral side 172 towards the first lateral side 170 within thetransition zone 200 and partially determines how aggressive the mixingrate is. In addition, mounting a second mixing paddle 230B on anopposite sidewall 154 and slanted relative to the longitudinal portion111 of the transition zone directs lateral movement of the particulatematerial from the first lateral side 170 back towards the second lateralside 172 of the transition zone. The particulate material ricochets offan upstream surface 133 of each mixing paddle, bouncing particulatematerial backwards and towards an opposite sidewall 154 within thetransition zone. In the situation where the particulate material is aquantity of a plant seed partially covered with a wet seed treatment,inducing backflow, and directing lateral movement within the transitionzone spreads the wet seed treatment about the quantity of the plant seedsooner than can occur within the conveyor 110. Alternatively, the mixingpaddles 230 may be oriented 90-degrees to the previous position so theyare on the same plane as the floor of the transition zone. Suchorientation allows particulate material to flow over the mixing paddlesin a cascading manner under the force of gravity.

The mixing paddles 230 may be made of a rigid durable material such asultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene, acrylonitrile butadienestyrene, or steel. As shown in FIG. 6, the mixing paddle 230 maycomprise a first aperture 161 and a second aperture 162 for securing themixing paddle to the U-shaped mounting bracket 260 or other mountingbracket. The mixing paddle 230 may comprise a central downward extendingportion, a peripheral downward extending portion, and a lower portionthat extends laterally in one or both lateral directions. In FIG. 6, themixing paddle does not comprise a passage, and the downward extendingsection, the central portion 132 and the peripheral portion 134 form auniform mixing paddle. The lower portion 136 extends laterally. Theperipheral portion 134 and the lower portion 136 of the mixing paddlecomprise an arc having a profile corresponding to the shape of the beltwithin the transition zone. The belt within the transition zone is notcurved to the same extent as when the belt rides within the curvilinearstructure 114 owing to the more planar cross section of the transitionzone 200. The lower portion 136 is disposed near the carrying surface ofthe belt to engage the bottom of the stream of particulate material. Thelaterally extending portion may be semi-circular, otherwise curvilinear,rectangular, or other shape to fit the confines of the transition zoneto induce thorough mixing. The mixing paddles 230 may be a solid pieceor have passage cutouts. The mixing paddle may have one or multiplepassages to induce increased flowability of material through thetransition zone. The size and angle of the mixing paddles may also bechanged to induce transfer of particulate material. The mixing paddlescan be mounted at less than a 50° angle as previously defined forexample.

There is a compromise between particulate material transfer rate and theamount of mixing—the more backflow and lateral movement is induced, theless downstream movement there is of the particulate material. Themixing baffles reduce the transfer rate by between 30%-70%, or between40%-60%, or, in a preferred embodiment, approximately 50%. For example,in a conveyor having a transfer rate of 900 kilograms (approximately2,000 pounds) per minute without mixing paddle, at 28° incline and witha belt speed of 110 meters per minute (approximately 350 feet perminute), the addition of mixing baffles may reduce the transfer capacityto 450 kilograms (approximately 1,000 pounds) per minute. In a largerconveyor having a transfer capacity of 1,800 kilograms (approximately4,000 pounds) per minute, at 28° incline and with a belt speed of 110meters per minute (approximately 350 feet per minute), the addition ofmixing baffles may reduce the transfer capacity to 900 kilograms (2,000pounds) per minute.

To provide a thorough mixing while maintaining flow rates, a passage 138can be provided in one or more of the mixing baffles 130 or mixingpaddles 230. A mixing baffle 130 is shown in FIG. 7 having a passage 138disposed in a peripheral portion 134 of the mixing baffle.Alternatively, a mixing baffle 130 is shown in FIG. 8 having a passage138 disposed in a central portion 132 of the mixing baffle to inducethorough mixing and material transfer. The lower portion 136 of themixing baffle comprises an arc having a profile corresponding to thecurvilinear structure 114. The lower portion 136 of the mixing bafflesand paddles are disposed near the carrying surface of the belt to engagethe bottom of the stream of particulate material. In the example of aseed treatment system, the belt may incorporate texture projections onthe carrying surface to assist with traction for carrying the load up anincline, such as raised chevrons that assist with carrying the load. Thelower portion 136 of the mixing baffles and paddles are disposed at apredetermined distance from the raised chevrons. The bottom of themixing baffles and paddles may be located above the raised chevrons byless than three average diameters of the particulate material, or lessthan five average diameters of the particulate material, or less than 10average diameters of the particulate material. Alternatively, the bottomof the mixing baffles and paddles may be located above the raisedchevrons by approximately 0.5 cm (approximately ¼ inch), 1 cm(approximately ⅜ inch), 2.5 cm (approximately 1 inch). Similarly, thearc of lower portion 136 of the mixing baffle follows the belt conformedto the curvilinear structure 114 around to the sidewall 154 at a similarspacing. Having a space in between the top of the belt texture and thebottom of the mixing baffles and paddles prevents seed damage fromfriction or pinching.

As shown in FIG. 7, the mixing baffle 130 comprises a first aperture 161and a second aperture 162 for securing the mixing baffle to a mountingbracket 160. The mixing baffle also comprises a downward extendingsection. In FIG. 7, the downward extending section is the centralportion 132. The lower portion 136 extends laterally. Alternatively, asshown in FIG. 8 the downward extending section is the peripheral portion134. In both FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, the mixing baffle 130 has a downwardextending portion and a lateral extending portion. The passage 138 maybe semi-circular, otherwise curvilinear, rectangular, or other apertureshape to allow a top portion of the seed stream to flow over the lowerportion 136. The mixing baffle 130 shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 having asemi-circular passage 138 induces thorough mixing and material transfer.In FIG. 9, there is no passage disposed in the mixing baffle 130.Alternatively, the mixing baffle 130 may have a central downwardextending portion and have a lower portion that extends laterally in oneor both lateral directions. The mixing baffle 130 may have one ormultiple passages therethrough.

The mixing baffles 130 and mixing paddles 230 may have a tapered orbeveled edge. The peripheral portion 134 and the lower portion 136 ofthe mixing baffles and paddles may be tapered or beveled. The passage138 of the mixing baffles or paddles may also be tapered or beveledindividually, or in combination with the peripheral portion 134 and thelower portion 136. The tapered or beveled edges of the mixing bafflesand paddles may be angular or rounded. The rounded edge makes for asmoother surface for seed to slide over during material transfer. Theangular edge may be 90 degrees or canted to less than a 90-degree angle.

The mixing baffle 130 can be statically mounted to the lid 120, theconveyor frame (not shown), or the curvilinear structure 114. Thestatically mounted mixing baffle can be bolted or welded within thecurvilinear structure, or otherwise securely mounted within thecurvilinear structure. Alternatively, the mixing baffles and paddles canbe adjustably mounted, where the mixing baffles and paddles can beselectively deployed. An acme screw, spring, pneumatic device, orhydraulic actuator may be used in adjusting the pitch of the mixingbaffles within the curvilinear structure. The mixing baffle 130 can bemounted to a hinge bracket. The hinge bracket may comprise an actuator,spring, acme screw or other deploying mechanism. In this way, the mixingbaffle can be selectively deployed to enable the conveyor to have atransfer-speed-maximizing mode and a mixing mode. The hinge bracket maybe limited at an angle less than or equal to 90 degrees.

The conveyor 110 may apply continuous static mixing, drying, orconditioning of seed in multiple stages. An advantage of staging mixingand drying conveyors between seed treatment applicators allowsemployment of multiple seed treatments between stages of conditioning.The static mixing of seed in multiple stages within static mix conveyorsallows for additional mixing, drying, and conditioning time for seedtreatments requiring longer durations. Alternative treatments may beutilized with mixing and drying conveyors having a plurality ofremovable lid sections and ports. Alternative treatments may includeintroducing dry additives, blending powdered, dry seed treatment, or acombination thereof. As shown in FIG. 10, a seed package (not shown) isdeposited into a hopper 300 allowing the seed to flow through a seedflow control meter, such as a loss-in-weight seed flow control solutionutilizing a variable position gate sold by KSi Conveyor, Inc., Sabetha,Kansas as the KSi® VariRate® loss-in-weight seed meter or a volumetricseed wheel (for example, the disclosure of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 12/848,412 by Reineccius). The metered seed flow then enters a firstseed treatment applicator 320. The first seed treatment applicatorapplies a first treatment to the seed flow. According to a recipe, thefirst seed treatment applicator applies a predetermined amount of thefirst treatment based on the metered seed flow rate. The seed flowhaving a first treatment enters a transition zone 200A of a firstconveyor 110A, where mixing baffles may mix the freshly treated seed asdescribed above.

The first conveyor 110A transports the seed flow towards a second seedtreatment applicator 330. After mixing of the first application of seedtreatment within the first conveyor 110A, the first static mix conveyordeposits the metered seed flow into the second applicator for a secondtreatment. A second metering step is not needed, because the flow ofseed through the first applicator and through the first conveyormaintains the seed flow rate. Maintaining the metered seed flow throughthe first applicator, the first conveyor, and the second applicator mayprovide an advantage for overtreating because the seed moves continuallythrough the system, without the need to collect the treated seed in abag, box, or hopper, where the seed must be re-metered.

The second seed treatment applicator 330 applies the second treatment tothe metered seed flow. The seed flow treated with a second secondtreatment then enters a transition zone 200B of a second conveyor 110B,where mixing can begin as described above. After conditioning within thesecond static mix conveyor, the seed flow may be collected into apackage (box, bag, etc.) or dispensed into a customer transportcontainer (such as a trailer, wagon, planter, etc.). Additional seedtreatment may be realized by including additional stages of treatmentand mixing with a similar arrangement or even repeat prior treatments.Treatment of seed in multiple stages allows for consecutive coatings orlayers of treatment around the seed. Treatments may comprise a,fungicide, insecticide, fertilizer, mineral additives, inhibitors,bacteria, microbial, or stimulators. When seed treatment is performed inmultiple stages, we discovered there is better process control. Meteringthe seed flow at the start of the process, the remaining steps canmaintain a seed flow rate of around 360 kilograms (approximately 800pounds) per minute through multiple conveyors and seed treatmentapplicators, without a need for a subsequent metering step.

The conveyor 110 may be made operably connected to a pressurized gassource to induce positive pressure within the conveyor atmosphere. Asshown in FIGS. 10 and 12, the conveyor 110 may comprise a conditioningapparatus 400 having a plurality of ports made operably connected to agas manifold 408. As particulate material passes through the conveyor,the conditioning apparatus effectuates drying and conditioning of thestream of particulate material. The gas manifold may be made operable byat least one inlet port 402 disposed through the curvilinear structure114 or lid 120. The inlet port 402 may introduce conditioned air at anypoint along the longitudinal portion 111 of the conveyor 110.Conditioned air assists in the cooling and drying of the wet, freshlytreated seed during conveyance by the belt within the conveyor.Conditioned air may come from any conditioning source such as an airconditioner or dehumidifier.

Alternatively, the conditioned air may be introduced into the conveyor110 through a plurality of lines connected to multiple ports disposedwithin the curvilinear structure 114 or lid 120. The gas manifold 408may be made from any hose type or material such as metal pipe, formedhard plastic, and other durable materials having an inner flowablepassage. The gas manifold may include a plurality of conditioningoutlets 410 disposed through the wall of the gas manifold. The gasmanifold containing conditioning outlets introduces conditioned air tospecific areas within the seed flow. The conditioning outlets may bemade from any hose type or material such as metal pipe, formed hardplastic, and other durable materials having an inner flowable passage.The gas manifold 408 may be disposed within the curvilinear structure114 of the conveyor 110. The gas manifold may be placed above or belowthe movable belt. The gas manifold 408 may follow a path within thecurvilinear structure 114 congruent with the passages disposed in themixing baffles 130. Alternatively, the gas manifold may contain aplurality of conditioning sections at less than a 50° angle (see angle βin FIG. 12) between a first plane 450 defined by a conditioning section409 and a vertical plane 452 tangential to the longitudinal portion 111of the conveyor 110 at the sidewall 154. In the situation where theparticulate material is a quantity of a seed covered with a wet seedtreatment, a conditioning outlet 410 may be positioned within the seedflow at a point laterally adjacent to a mixing baffle 130. Theconditioning outlets, as shown in FIG. 13 and FIG. 15, may directpressurized gas in a downstream direction (arrow 113), upstreamdirection, or a lateral direction for drying wet seed treatment aboutthe quantity of the plant seed as well as directing longitudinalmovement of the seed flow.

Alternatively, the conditioned air may be introduced into the conveyor110 via a gas manifold 408 disposed outside the curvilinear structure114 or mounted on an exterior portion of the conveyor 110 as shown inFIG. 14. The gas manifold may include a plurality of conditioningoutlets 410 disposed through the lid 120 of the conveyor 110. As shownin FIGS. 14 and 15, the conditioning outlets 410 may direct pressurizedgas in a perpendicular plane to the downstream direction (arrow 113)flow of particulate material. Alternatively, the conditioning outlets410 may be positioned directly within or below the seed flow tointroduce conditioned air to specific areas around or within the seedflow, such as directly downstream of a mixing baffle. In the situationwhere particulate material is a quantity of a seed covered with a wetseed treatment, a conditioning outlet 410 may be positioned at a pointwhere seed flow experiences greatest turbulence from backflow induced bythe mixing baffles 130.

In another function, the plurality of conditioning outlets 410 mayeffectuate extraction by forming a vacuum when the inlet port 402 isoperably connected with a vacuum source. The applied vacuum within thegas manifold 408 effectuates air currents within the conveyor 110 toentrain and extract lighter particles such as debris, chaff, dust,humidity, or excess treatment. Alternatively, conditioned air may beintroduced in combination with extraction. In one example, as depictedin FIGS. 14 and 15, extraction is applied to a first inlet port 402Aconnected to a first gas manifold 408A, while conditioning is applied toa second inlet port 402B connected to a second gas manifold 408B. Thecombination induces positive flow of conditioned air through the seedflow while vacuuming draws the lighter, entrained particles out of theseed flow. The conditioning outlets serving as extraction ports may bescreened to prevent particulate material from entering the conditioningoutlets.

It is understood that the invention is not confined to the particularconstruction and arrangement of parts herein described. That althoughthe drawings and specification set forth a preferred embodiment, andalthough specific terms are employed, they are used in a descriptionsense only and embody all such forms as come within the scope of thefollowing claims.

In the Summary above, the Detailed Description, and in the accompanyingdrawings, reference is made to particular features including methodsteps of the invention. The reader should understand that the disclosureof the invention in this specification includes all possiblecombinations of such particular features. For example, where aparticular feature is disclosed in the context of a particular aspect orembodiment of the invention, or a particular claim, that feature canalso be used, to the extent possible, in combination with and/or in thecontext of other particular aspects and embodiments of the invention,and in the invention generally. It is understood that the invention isnot confined to the particular construction and arrangement of partsherein described. That although the drawings and specification set fortha preferred embodiment, and although specific terms are employed, theyare used in a description sense only and embody all such forms as comewithin the scope of the following claims.

The term “comprises”, and its grammatical equivalents are used in thisdocument to mean that other components, steps, etc. are optionallypresent. For example, an article “comprising” or “which comprises”components A, B, and C can consist of components A, B, and C, or cancontain not only components A, B, and C but also one or more othercomponents.

We claim:
 1. A conveyor comprising: a. a conveyance structure; b. a beltpartially disposed within the conveyance structure; c. a first gasmanifold operably connected to the conveyance structure to directpressurized gas into the conveyance structure; and d. a plurality ofmixing baffles longitudinally spaced apart through the conveyor.
 2. Theconveyor of claim 1, further comprising: a. a lid of the conveyor thatis removable; and b. a plurality of manifold outlet ports pass throughthe lid.
 3. The conveyor of claim 1, further comprising: a. wherein theplurality of mixing baffles are disposed within the conveyor in alaterally alternating manner; and b. a plurality of manifold outletports operably connected to the first gas manifold, wherein a firstmanifold outlet port is disposed laterally adjacent to a first mixingbaffle.
 4. The conveyor of claim 1, wherein the first gas manifold ismounted to an exterior portion of the conveyor.
 5. The conveyor of claim1, wherein the first gas manifold is disposed within the conveyancestructure.
 6. The conveyor of claim 1, further comprising: a. a secondgas manifold operably connected to the conveyance structure at a pointlongitudinally spaced apart from the first gas manifold along theconveyance structure to direct gas from the conveyance structure.
 7. Theconveyor of claim 6, further comprising: a. a vacuum source operablyconnected to the second gas manifold; and b. a filter disposed betweenthe second gas manifold and the vacuum source.
 8. The conveyor of claim6, further comprising: a. a recirculating gas system providing: i. avacuum source operably connected to the second gas manifold; and ii. apressurized gas source operably connected to the first gas manifold. 9.The conveyor of claim 1, further comprising: a. a vacuum port in commonwith the manifold disposed at a head end of the conveyor.
 10. A methodcomprising the steps of: a. carrying a stream of seed upon a beltthrough a conveyor, the belt conformed to a curvilinear portion of theconveyor; and b. inducing turbulent backflow in the stream of seed witha first mixing baffle.
 11. The method of claim 10, further comprisingthe step of: a. connecting a pressurized gas source to the conveyor nearthe first mixing baffle.
 12. The method of claim 11, further comprisingthe step of: a. extracting debris from the stream of seed with anegative pressure from the pressurized gas source.
 13. The method ofclaim 11, further comprising the step of: a. extracting humid air fromthe conveyor with a negative pressure from the pressurized gas source.14. The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of: a.introducing a gas into the conveyor with a positive pressure from thepressurized gas source.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the gas isatmospheric air.
 16. The method of claim 14, wherein the gas isconditioned air.
 17. The method of claim 10, further comprising the stepof: a. mounting the first mixing baffle on a first lateral side of theconveyor; b. forming an eddy in the stream of seed behind the firstmixing baffle on the first lateral side of the conveyor; and c. fillingthe eddy with a backflow of seed from downstream.
 18. The method ofclaim 10, wherein the stream of seed is a quantity of a plant seedpartially covered with a wet seed treatment, and further comprising thestep of: a. spreading the wet seed treatment around the quantity of theplant seed.
 19. The method of claim 10, further comprising the steps of:a. providing a passage in the first mixing baffle above a lower portionof the first mixing baffle; and b. allowing a portion of the stream ofseed to travel through the passage.
 20. The method of claim 10, furthercomprising the steps of: a. directing lateral movement from a firstlateral side of the conveyor to a second lateral side of the conveyor inan alternating manner through a longitudinal portion of the conveyor.21. A method of preparing seed for planting comprising the steps of: a.providing a metered stream of seed having a seed flow rate to a firstapplicator; b. treating the metered stream of seed within the firstapplicator with a first amount of a first treatment based on the seedflow rate; c. inducing turbulent backflow in the metered stream of seedhaving the first treatment within a first conveyor with a plurality ofmixing baffles longitudinally spaced apart through a conveyor in alaterally alternating manner; d. transferring the metered stream of seedhaving the first treatment to a second applicator; and e. treating themetered stream of seed having the first treatment within the secondapplicator with a second amount of a second treatment based on the seedflow rate.
 22. The method of claim 21, further comprising the step of:a. maintaining the metered stream of seed at the seed flow rate betweenthe first applicator and the second applicator.
 23. The method of claim22, further comprising the step of: drying the metered stream of seedhaving the first treatment in the first conveyor by providingpressurized gas within the first conveyor.
 24. A method comprising thesteps of: providing a metered stream of seed having a seed flow rate toa first applicator; treating the metered stream of seed with a firstamount of a first treatment based on the seed flow rate within the firstapplicator; transferring the metered stream of seed having the firsttreatment to a second applicator; treating the metered stream of seedhaving the first treatment with a second amount of a second treatmentbased on the seed flow rate within the second applicator; inducingturbulent backflow in the metered stream of seed having the firsttreatment within a first conveyor with a plurality of mixing baffleslongitudinally spaced apart through the first conveyor in a laterallyalternating manner; drying the metered stream of seed having the firsttreatment in the first conveyor by providing pressurized gas within thefirst conveyor; mixing the metered stream of seed having the secondtreatment in a second conveyor with a plurality of mixing baffles; anddrying the metered stream of seed having the second treatment in thesecond conveyor by providing pressurized gas to the second conveyor. 25.A conveyor comprising: a. a trough structure extending longitudinally;b. a belt that conforms to the trough structure; c. a first mixingbaffle disposed within the conveyor on a first lateral side andextending downwardly toward the belt; and d. a second mixing bafflelongitudinally spaced downstream from the first mixing baffle along theconveyor and disposed on a second lateral side.
 26. The conveyor ofclaim 25, wherein the first mixing baffle further comprises: a. a firstperipheral portion disposed upstream of a first central portion; and b.a first seed passage disposed within at least one of the first centralportion and the first peripheral portion.
 27. The conveyor of claim 26further comprises: a second seed passage in the second mixing bafflethat is: i. disposed within a second peripheral portion when the firstseed passage is disposed in the first peripheral portion; and ii.disposed in a second central portion when the first seed passage isdisposed in the first central portion.
 28. The conveyor of claim 27,where the first seed passage is above a first lower portion, wherein thefirst lower portion extends laterally below the first seed passage. 29.The conveyor of claim 28, where the first lower portion extends from afirst lateral side of the conveyor to a central portion of the conveyor.30. The conveyor of claim 25, wherein: a. the first mixing bafflecomprises: i. a first seed passage disposed in a first central portionof the first mixing baffle; ii. a first lower portion extends laterallybelow the first seed passage; b. the second mixing baffle comprises:iii. a second seed passage disposed in a second central portion of thesecond mixing baffle; and iv. a second lower portion extends laterallybelow the second seed passage.
 31. The conveyor of claim 25, wherein awidth of the first mixing baffle is approximately one half of a diameterof the trough structure.
 32. The conveyor of claim 25, wherein a lowerportion of the first mixing baffle is positioned at a distance between0.5 cm and 2.5 cm above the belt.